A/N: I managed to write this one finally. Some new faces and plot points introduced here. I hope you like anyways.

Chapter 11: In which I'm not the narrator

It was a palace. Its location was unknown to mortals and even demigods had hard time to deduce where it actually was. It had many entrances around the country of Finland and all of them led to different sectors of the palace. Some could argue that the palace wasn't really a palace but a collection of houses and manors that were connected to each other by long corridors at which the time and space lost their meaning and one could cross hundreds of kilometers in mere seconds. Maybe it was true and the entrances around the country were only to the houses in those locations. After all, some of the entrances were in the middle of woods, some on top of a mountain in Lapland, some at the bottom of Baltic Sea or the Lake Saimaa.

But let's call it a palace since from the point of view of a demigod living in there, it was like a one big house with indoor gardens and numerous rooms to stay at and meet other demigods.

At this point one might ask, of which pantheon those demigods are of? The Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptians and the Norse are all situated in America these days yet it's hinted that the palace is somewhere in Northern Europe.

The answer, my friend, is in the location. The palaces many entrances exist within the country of Finland, thus it is a safe haven to those born from the old Finnish deities or otherwise accepted into the fold.

A girl walked through the corridors, her black hair on a high ponytail bouncing in the rhythm of her steps. She barely glanced at the trees growing around her and forming the corridor in question. It was all normal for her. The floor of that particular corridor was made of grass and it would've been smooth against the soles of her feet if she hadn't been wearing military boots. She was dressed in the military greens of Finnish army and had a backpack on her shoulders. It had been a long week previously and she was happy to be home once more.

Eventually the girl – young woman really – reached an opening in the forest section of the palace. It was a lush evergreen patch of forest in the model of traditional pine forests of Finland. There was a lot of light and the air was appropriately dry. In the middle of the clearing (room) was another girl. This girl was much younger than the first one, only fourteen or so. She was dressed in a simple pink hoodie and blue jeans and was playing with rabbits and squirrels gathered around her.

"Siru." The first girl spoke. The younger one looked up, as did the animals in strange unison with the girl. And smile spread on the girl's face and her blue eyes crinkled on happiness.

"Emilia, you're back." Siru said softly. Emilia, the girl in greens, nodded.

"I am. Did you have a good week?"

"I did, yes. I helped a squirrel family to find one of their food storages that they'd forgotten about. And I heard that soon is the time for new bear cubs to be born." Siru explained with a bright smile. "How about you?"

"Tough week, but I could handle it just fine." Emilia told the girl. "We are having a meeting soon. Could you go and see where Miisa and Sigvard are?"

"They should be with Tapio and Ägräs… Going through this year's growth plans. Mielikki mentioned it to me yesterday."

Emilia sighed. Of course those two were with their parents.

"Well… Try and see if they could come anyways. It's important. I'll get the other two."

"Alright." Siru nodded and gently ushered the animals back to their homes. When she left the room, a fox, with the same colored fur than her hair, slinked after her. A moment later Emilia left the room too, heading other direction, other section of the palace even.

The corridors of forest became those of granite and slate. Emilia climbed stairs to the next floor and was promptly greeted by blasting music.

"Kuisma! Kuisma!" She yelled over the noise, of the CD player deposited in the middle of the room, next to a DJ's desk. There was a boy in his late teens, messing with the dials and buttons on the table while his head bopped in the rhythm of the rock music. Emilia gritted her teeth and then promptly dumped water upon the CD player. Water she'd drawn straight from the air. The music died down and the player began smoking. The boy whirled around and glared at the girl with electric blue eyes.

"Emilia!" Kuisma growled. "This is the third time this month. I bet not even Rainer can fix this anymore!"

"Well, if you wouldn't be trying to bust our eardrums constantly this probably wouldn't be a problem." Emilia informed the boy dryly. "We have a meeting. Go get Rainer and meet everyone in the Crypt."

Kuisma's eyebrows arched. "You managed to drag Sigvard and Miisa from that old barn then?" He whistled low.

"Room of Cultivation and Harvest is not a barn." Emilia corrected tiredly. This wasn't the first time Kuisma had come up with insulting nicknames for the numerous rooms and people in the palace. "And no, I sent Siru to get them."

"Damn, you are mean. Subjecting Siru to Tapio's presence just so she can get his daughter away from their bonding-time. And Siru is his wife's lovechild…" Kuisma snickered before sobering. He ran his hand through his gelled back dark hair before stuffing his hands into the pockets of his black jeans. "What news do you have then to warrant a meeting in the Crypt? I thought we wouldn't meet there until we have full numbers."

"The meeting is about the last two of the eight. But I won't tell you more just yet. I rather explain it all only once."

"C'mon, cuz. Why can't you tell me more… I'm-…"

"I know you are the big guy's son. It doesn't change anything." Emilia deadpanned. "Now, shoo… I'm heading ahead."

The Crypt was probably the only place that in any way resembled ancient Greek architecture but that was only because it resembled the Helsinki Cathedral nowadays which in turn had been built in neoclassical style back in 1852.

The Crypt was a circular room beneath all the other rooms of the manor. It looked like it was below ocean level too but one couldn't be too sure. The light came through a dome that one couldn't be sure of if it was translucent or not. It had eight entrances and eight windows surrounding the room in turn. They were separated by sixteen circular white marble pillars. The floor was made of colored stone and had star shape in the middle of it. The star had eight horns and each horn pointed at the entrances. And each horn was decorated to match the different designs of the door.

Emilia stepped through her door and settled to stand by the point of the star pointing at it. The decoration was of waves and storm in colors of green and blue.

Two doors to the left, Kuisma entered and stopped on the same spot than Emily. His sector of the star and door was of steely color with platinum thunderbolts.

Opposite of Emilia was Siru, with foxes, rabbits, birds and other wildlife framing her form.

The last three arrived. Miisa, a pretty girl with blond hair and pine green eyes stood between Emilia and Kuisma. Her motifs were plants of both forest and cultivation. On Emilia's right first was Sigvard and then Rainer. The first boy had simply soil and rocks that partly was cracked by assumed heat and partly smooth as glass. He had a bit nerdy and weedy outward appearance in slacks and neat white shirt but hidden strength was hidden beneath the calm exterior. It would be seen through his earthy brown eyes. The other boy was of stockier build with a bit ragged black hoodie and faded blue jeans and a lot of metal upon his person. His long sandy-brown hair was pulled on a low ponytail and he had steel grey eyes. His symbols seemed to be plates or various metals etched together.

Emilia looked at the two empty spots. They were on Siru's both sides. One of clouds and wind currents, and the other of fire and light. She smiled then.

"My friends, I bring good news from the Lady herself."

"Lady of Dusk spoke with you again?" Miisa gasped. "I thought she was resting once more."

"Has something happened to disturb her slumber?" Sigvard frowned.

"Something yes, but I'm not aware of the details." Emilia sighed. "But the reason I called this meeting was because the last two of us have finally arrived."

She let her green eyes track every single one of the demigods. While they weren't the only ones from their parents, they were currently the oldest and thus granted the positions as Guardians of Aihki. The last line of defense and first in offense for the gods.

Kuisma, son of Ukko, the god of thunder and lightning, named Viuhti.

Siru, daughter of Mielikki, the goddess of forest and its dwellers, named Rauni.

Miisa, daughter of Tapio, the god of forest, named Tierra.

Sigvard, son of Ägräs, the god of fertility and cultivation, named Manttere.

Rainer, son of Ilmarinen, the great smith and maker of heaven, named Tarmo.

And Emilia, daughter of… Poseidon, adopted by Ahti, the god of the depths and giver of fish, named Soila.

(Emilia's story was complicated and involved avalanche, divine intervention and assimilation to new culture, Second World War and existing outside of time for decades until she aged a couple of years past the age limit of the Great Prophesy.)

"Autere and Roihu have been found?" Siru gaped.

"You're serious!" Kuisma exclaimed.

"Where are they then? And why did it take so long for them to surface?" Rainer asked slowly. Emilia held a hand up to stall the flood of questions.

"They are currently in America. As for their origins… They are not the most convenient. According to Lady of Dusk, dimensional crossing was involved. Autere is mortal but collecting godly gems to protect herself while Roihu is currently acting as demigod son of the Greek sun god."

"Why is it always Greek?" Kuisma scoffed. Emilia shot him a baleful glance.

"Something against the Greek?"

"Other than the fact that this future mess coming up is entirely part of their domain and in a sense there should be no need for us to intervene?"

"The mere existence of all Guardians at the same time is the proof that we are going to need to act when the time comes."

"Lady of Dusk manipulated the events for us!"

"Because she has already lived it all and knows how it will turn out!"

"Guys… Please don't fight…" Miisa tried to placate the two. None of them moved away from the star points though.

"Do you know what they look like?" Sigvard asked then, to distract the pair.

"Glad you asked." Emilia clapped her hands together once, dimming the light coming from the circular dome above their heads. The two quick claps an apparition in mist shimmered into the view. It had two siblings sitting next to each other and seemed to be talking with someone out of screen. "I don't know the names they are using in America but they are living in the safe house Lady of Dusk created some decades back."

"They look nice." Siru mused. "When can we meet them?"

"In a couple of years. According to Lady there is a prophesy in works in the Greek world too. Roihu has heard it and eventually they'll come to seek our aid. But until then it's a strict rule of non-interference."

"Three years then…" Rainer nodded slowly. "Was this all?"

"Yes. You are all dismissed."

Some of them remained watching the image of their future comrades while some left back to their duties.

It was mid-January. Luna had gone back to school after the holidays were over while Clay remained in New York. Currently he was in Harlem, watching a house with a white couple and a black little girl in there. The girl was crying and had a hand mark on her cheek. Feminine hand. Clay frowned. What he'd gleaned from a week of observation of the house, was horrifying.

The girl's name was Hannah Summers. She was nine years old. Her father had died not even a month ago and soon after the funerals her step-mother's boyfriend had moved in. The man was horrid and so was the woman. They both abused the girl and used her as free labor. Pulled her out of school to keep her locked inside the house. Because her father wasn't there anymore to protect her. It seemed that the woman had gone after the man only because of money.

The young demigod grit his teeth as he watched Hannah to climb to the second floor and hide inside her room. On window sill was a flower box full of flowers in full bloom despite the snow on the streets and everywhere else. Clay had occasionally talked with Hannah and found out that her father had owned a gardening company that had done quite well and apparently her mother occasionally helped with it, making it thrive.

"Aunt Demeter's daughter then?" The golden haired boy mused. "Or someone else from her domain…"

The situation needed a bit more investigation and with regret, Clay retreated to the alleyway where Kuroto was waiting for him. The steed neighed at him.

"I know… I'll come up with something. I promise." The boy murmured to his friend before climbing onto his back.

Only a couple of days passed and then Clay had to act. He found Hannah in her room, her clothes ripped and her naked body bruised and bleeding. All the evidence pointed to a single fact.

"Hannah?" Clay sat on the window sill of the little girl's room. Tear filled brown orbs turned to look at him.

"C-Clay..." Hannah whispered before dashing to hug the boy who silently dropped into the room to a crouch.

"Shh… Shh…" Clay whispered as he tried to sooth the crying girl. "I'm getting you out of here… Right now. I'm sorry I couldn't do it earlier."

"But papa's garden…" Hannah protested weakly the same way she had done previously when Clay had offered to take her away.

"I'm sorry, blossom, but your safety comes first. No matter how much your father loved the garden, he loved you much more."

"Hmm…" Hannah hummed absently, not really listening. Her eyes were teary and a bit glazed over, her thoughts running through the recent trauma.

"Hannah, I hate to ask you this but are the adults inside this house?"

"Yeah…"

"Okay, dress up and we'll be off then."

Hannah put on underwear, a pair of pants, a long sleeved t-shirt and a light green zip-up hoodie. She also pulled a pair of thin cotton socks to her feet but lacked shoes.

"Alright… Hold on tight then." Clay lifted the girl on his hip and climbed out of the window and began climbing down. The pair of the disappeared to the shadows. Behind them, vines climbing the walls of the house began to grow and thicken, trapping all the doors and windows shut, leaving only the cellar window open.

In the evening when Clay got Hannah finally to fall asleep, he made his way back to the house. He slipped inside the cellar and rigged the gas heating system. Mere hours later when the woman now owning the house lit a smoke, it all went up in flames. Due the vines there was no escape for the two occupants.

Clay smirked at the screams coming from the inside.

"Where would I go now? P-Papa is dead and I have no aunties or uncles or cousins or grandparents and I've never even met my mama and…" Hannah sobbed when they were talking while eating breakfast.

"There is a place… well, maybe two." Clay began. "One is Camp Half-Blood. It's for kids like us. Children of mortal and immortal. I told you about this yesterday, didn't I?"

"That my mama is probably a goddess but can't meet me because the King forbids it." Hannah replied meekly, her curly black hair falling in front of her eyes. "What is the other place?"

"Well… It's the Hunters of Artemis. I'm not sure if they'd take you as a member but you could still ask for sanctuary and being taught until you decide what to do with your life…" Clay hated to offer this option because… Hannah wasn't virgin anymore and thus automatically wouldn't be allowed to take the oath to join the Hunt. But she was an innocent and young girl and should still belong to Artemis's domain. And rape was a scarring experience, especially for one so young who probably didn't even understand it fully. But with the Hunt she would be safe from other males. It was a miracle Hannah wasn't shying away from him considering how little time they'd known each other.

"…The Hunt has only girls?" Hannah asked with quiet voice.

"That's right. It means I probably wouldn't be welcomed there but Kuroto could take you there." Clay smiled back.

"You would really?"

"Yes, I'll back everything you need and Kuroto can find the route to their current camp."

Hannah smiled widely. Clay sincerely hoped he was making the right decision.

A week passed. Clay remained home. Hannah had promised to call if she was staying with the Hunt. There was no call.

But there was a neigh. The boy looked up from the book he was reading and headed outside. Kuroto was back with Hannah. The girl was oddly quiet. She shied away from Clay's touch and kept her distance. After some careful questions, Clay heard the story.

Apparently Hannah didn't have a chance to meet with Artemis or even with the lieutenant Zoe Nightshade. Another Hunter had intercepted the girl and talked to her. And whatever she had said had driven Hannah in tears and back to New York. And to be scared of Clay.

"I'll try my luck at Camp Half-Blood then." Hannah said tearfully. "Even if there are boys too."

Clay felt his heart chill. Try her luck… What had the hunter told the girl to make her so… so downtrodden and depressed? The young demi-god swallowed hard but smiled anyways.

"Do you want me to take you there? I was thinking of returning anyways."

"…No. I go by myself. Just give me a map." Hannah shifted nervously, avoiding Clay's eyes. The boy turned away too, going for a drawer which had paper and pens inside.

"Alright, just give me a moment…" The distrust stung.

Hannah was equipped with food, money, warm clothes and a two knives or celestial bronze again. She refused to take Kuroto this time. She thanked Clay for his help and left then. The boy called Chiron to inform him that a new camper should arrive in couple of days and he hoped to know when so he could come to the camp too.

The call never came. Clay left to look for the girl. With the help of Kuroto, he found Hannah. Or what was left of her. A body in the ditch, stomach torn open and innards missing, but otherwise relatively unmarred. It wasn't work of a regular monster but Clay doubted it was a simple wild animal either. He kneeled by the tiny corpse and wrapped her carefully in a green quilt he'd take with him. Maybe some sort of foresight had nudged him into packing it with him when he dreaded the worst.

"Way too light…" Clay thought when lifting Hannah on his arms and one handedly climbing on Kuroto who was nice enough to settle on the ground for easier access. "Thanks Kuroto."

Neigh

"I know. Let's get to the camp."

Chiron was waiting for him and began speaking before noticing the bundle with him.

"Clay, there hasn't been any sign of-…"

"I know." Clay interrupted and slid down from the saddle. His feet hit the ground lightly, not really jostling his precious cargo. The centaur stared at the body on his arms in horror and sadness.

"Is that…?"

"Hannah Summers. Nine years old. Daughter of… Demeter. Passed away two days ago." Clay introduced, the name of the girl's godly parent passing through his head with a whisper of leaves of apple trees and the grinding of grain. The boy bowed his head and silently sent his thanks to the goddess.

"You never mentioned me why you sent her alone." Chiron spoke then.

"Kheiron… Hannah wanted to come alone. She… was scared of me after meeting with one of the Hunters. I didn't want to push it. I thought she could make it. Hannah was strong and resourceful girl. The distance wasn't that bad. She should've been safe but I…" Tears began falling from the blue eyes and drop onto the quilt. "I should've protected her! I should have made sure she was safe! Maybe even taken her personally to the Hunter's camp so she could personally meet with Artemis but I didn't because I thought… I thought…"

"What did you think, Clay?" Chiron asked gently, his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"I thought she'd be safer without me. I thought they'd accept her anyways…" The boy swallowed a sob, shifting his burden so she was cradled against him while freeing his other hand to wipe away his tears.

The funerals were on the same evening. The few year rounder's from cabin four made a funeral shroud for Hannah in which she was burned. Clay remained quiet and distant for the entire procession par the few words he offered to tell about the little girl.

"She was incredibly brave despite everything. Kept going and taking care of her father's garden." He said without elaborating.

Weeks progressed from there and the boy fell into the routine. He occasionally called Luna and kept training. Time went on.

A/N: Alright... I think I explained relatively well the Finnish deities in this chapter but I can put some additional info here. Kalevala, Finland's national epic features many of the deities and immortal heroes that I'll drop here. Searching the wikipedia page for 'Finnish deities/gods' will give you quite good explanations too even if I might twist some info to suit my needs.

The three Big Ones here are three brothers: Ukko, Ahti and Tapio. They respectively rule over sky, sea and forest.

They have wives: Akka, Vellamo and Mielikki. They are more like feminine counterparts for the gods and share the realms with them.

Then there are minor deities like Ägräs/Äkräs and other cultivation related spirits. Also the sons and daughters of the Big Ones. Now that I think about it I probably should've have made Siru to be daughter of Nyyrikki(god of hunt) or Tuulikki(goddess of animals). Thei parents are Tapio and Mielikki. Damn my too quick decisions.

Ilmarinen is a hero and the smith that made the Sampo, a mythical item that sow grain, salt and gold out of nothing. In here he is made immortal.

The palace represents the realms of the Big Ones: Ukkola, Ahtola and Tapiola. It does not have parts for Tuonela/Manala/Pohjola which is the Finnish version of the Underworld. This is a realm ruled over by Louhi and her daughters.

The eight Aihkin Vartijat(Guardians of Aihki) came from my scout summer camp with such theme. The 'codenames' are mostly from the character for what I could remember. It's been eight years already... 'Aihki' itself refers to an old pine. We in Finland got a lot of words for pine tree and bear too.

This is all... I might need to change some patrons later. Not godly parents but the patrons of the Guardians.

()

Replies to Reviews:

-Tsuki:
You're welcome.
I do my best in updating my fics.
I somehow felt pull towards Apollo. And my my brother and I both have blonde hair and blue eyes naturally. Hermes was other choice too but then Clay in his previous life as Shugo gained a good skill with bow and both of the sibling play the piano, I thought it was appropriate for Apollo to be the parent.

-The Grey Mile:
Thank you for you review. I hope you like this chapter too. :)